Lee Jae-myung's "Free Legal Defense" Not a Violation of Kim Young-ran Act, Says Jeon Hyun-hee; Opposition Candidates Criticize

On the afternoon of the 20th, candidates posed before the joint debate for the People Power Party's presidential primary candidates from Daegu and Gyeongbuk held at Daegu MBC. From the left: Hong Jun-pyo, Won Hee-ryong, Yoo Seung-min, Yoon Seok-youl. 2021.10.20 [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] At the People Power Party's presidential primary joint debate for Daegu and Gyeongbuk, candidates unanimously criticized the suspicions of 'free legal defense' by Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, as a violation of the Act on the Prevention of Corruption and the Establishment and Management of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (Kim Young-ran Act). The controversy intensified especially after Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, stated at the National Assembly audit on the 20th that "providing free legal defense to close acquaintances is not a violation of the Kim Young-ran Act."

Former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong asked former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, "Do you think Chairperson Jeon Hyun-hee's statement that providing free legal defense to close acquaintances is not a violation of the Kim Young-ran Act makes any sense?"

Former Prosecutor General Yoon responded, "It is an incomprehensible statement," adding, "Legal services have economic value, so saying it does not apply is hard to understand as an answer from the Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption Commission."

Assemblyman Hong Joon-pyo also said, "To hire a lawyer of that caliber, at least 2 billion won would be needed as a legal common sense," and added, "Spending just over 200 million won cannot form such a luxurious legal defense team, which I believe consists of about 23 members."

When former Governor Won asked, "Among the Supreme Court justices who ruled not guilty, two are from the same judicial training institute class," and said, "I think Chairperson Jeon Hyun-hee should resign immediately, and if not, impeachment should be considered. What do you think?" Assemblyman Hong replied, "It would be right to make her resign," but added, "It would be difficult as it requires a majority in the National Assembly."

Former Assemblyman Yoo Seung-min agreed with this. Yoo said, "The lawyer fee payment or free legal defense for close acquaintances mentioned by candidate Won Hee-ryong is not just a violation of the Kim Young-ran Act, but I think there is a significant possibility of bribery or other illegal political funds by Lee Jae-myung," and added, "Lee's asset details should be thoroughly examined and attacked." Yoo also mistakenly referred to the Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission as the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission.